Amidst the fourth industrial revolution that accelerated during the papacy of Francis and continues during the reign of Leo XIV, the Vatican has become a driving force in the international law framework development on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies.
The history of humanity teaches us that sometimes when you go into battle, and our current struggle for digital ethics is quite a battle, you find allies you have not likely thought about. Today, I would like to tell you about one such ally—the Vatican. There is a lot to be written and much has been written regarding church and clergy failures throughout history, as well as about their good deeds and the force of hope that has run through the centuries. This almost two thousand year old institution comes with a robust perspective on society, rights, power, and soft power—so what is their stand on the AI and digital technologies progression?
The papacy of Francis brought a clear response to the rise of AI that can be summarized as follows: we need, as humanity, a new form of societal and legal response for AI that is safe and respectful to all. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Francis had multiple meetings with Microsoft representatives and other big tech companies and AI startups. He also highlighted his stance on digital technologies during the G7 meeting (putting aside the spectacle of the church attending such a meeting) in 2024. In addition, the Catholic Church headquarters also issued the Rome Call for AI Ethics on February 28th, 2020, which in its spirit and intent is not that far from the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966/1976) call in Art. 15, paragraph 1 for “The States Parties to […] recognize the right of everyone […] (b) to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications.” The timing of the Rome Call came two years and nine months ahead of the AI hype spurred by the release of ChatGPT on November 30th, 2022, and can be seen as a sort of testament to the acumen of the church in this matter. In the document, Antiqua et Nova—a Note on the Relationship Between AI and Human Intelligence from January 14th, 2025, Francis’s administration pointed out, among other aspects:
“that AI marks a new and significant phase in humanity’s engagement with technology, placing it at the heart of what Pope Francis has described as an ‘epochal change’. […] This involves not only mitigating risks and preventing harm but also ensuring that its applications are used to promote human progress and the common good.” (para.4).
Antiqua et Nova is a truly exhaustive divagation on AI, human dignity, theology and ethics. Francis hoped that one day the world would have a new piece of international human rights law on digital and AI ethics. However, with ailing health and the church’s inability to make this hope properly resonate with the general audience, this messaging has been quite muted.
The current pontiff, Leo XIV, hopes to make a bold statement about ‘big tech’, not only through his name—Leo—as he revealed to the cardinals on May 10th, 2025. He aspires to be the pope of the new industrial revolution, guiding humanity through the potential negative consequences of digital and AI progression. With his papal name, he taps into the legacy of Leo XIII (born 1810, pontificate: 1878-1903), the pope of the workers. In ancient Rome, people used to say “nomen omen” (name is an omen), meaning that one’s name could shape their destiny. Leo XIII guided his flock during the Second Industrial Revolution, and through his advocacy for workers’ rights and their ethical treatment—particularly in his encyclical, Rerum Novarum—he earned the title “Pope of the Workers.” Leo XIV was elected amidst another transformative era, the digital revolution, and he intends to strive to ensure that today’s workers are not discarded as unnecessary surplus in the aftermath of the digital revolution. The rapid advancement of agentic AI and robotics clearly shows that neither white-collar nor blue-collar workers will be spared.
On June 20th, 2025, Leo XIV issued an official message to the participants of the Second Annual Conference on AI, Ethics, and Corporate Governance, which took place in Rome. On the second day, the event continued in the Apostolic Palace. This week, on July 10th, the Pope issued another message to the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, delivered by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. In the document, it was reiterated: “As AI becomes capable of adapting autonomously to many situations by making purely technical algorithmic choices, it is crucial to consider its anthropological and ethical implications, the values at stake, and the duties and regulatory frameworks required to uphold those values.”
Leo XIV’s message is starting to resonate, and we may soon begin to see its impact. For now, we can look to the Rome Call for AI Ethics issued by his predecessor. Here is the link to the full document, along with some key takeaways, presented in nomen omen Roman numerals:
I. “The transformations currently underway are not just quantitative. Above all, they are qualitative, because they affect the way these tasks are carried out and the way in which we perceive reality and human nature itself, so much so that they can influence our mental and interpersonal habits.”
II. “New technology must be researched and produced in accordance with criteria that ensure it truly serves the entire “human family” (Preamble, Univ. Dec. Human Rights), respecting the inherent dignity of each of its members and all natural environments, and taking into account the needs of those who are most vulnerable.”
III. “In order for AI to act as a tool for the good of humanity and the planet, we must put the topic of protecting human rights in the digital era at the heart of public debate. The time has come to question whether new forms of automation and algorithmic activity necessitate the development of stronger responsibilities.”
These three examples speak to the intent Pope Francis had for the Church to confront the present moment—one filled with opportunities and challenges for humanity. The future will reveal whether the new pope will become known as the pope of those displaced by digitalization, robotization, or agentic AI; of individuals adrift in the despair of social media; and of those who see hope in harnessing digital technologies for good, while remaining aware of the threats they pose.
Regardless of whether one identifies with this particular religion or not, these messages carry universal significance—advocating for equitable access to the benefits of AI while also calling for responsibility, especially from those at the forefront of this (r)evolution. Both aims can be realized through legal frameworks, which remain foundational to how our societies function today and, ideally, will continue to do so in the years ahead as we move toward artificial general intelligence.
Works Cited:
Glazer, M. S., Drew Hinshaw, Keach Hagey and Emily. (June 17, 2025). Pope Leo Takes On AI as a Potential Threat to Humanity. WSJ. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/pope-leo-ai-tech-771cca48
Francis (2025, January 14) Antiqua et Nova, Note on the Relationship Between AI and Human Intelligence. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20250128_antiqua-et-nova_en.html
Leo XIII. (1891, May 15). Rerum Novarum. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html
Leo XIV. (2025, May 10). Address of the Holy Father to the College of Cardinals. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250510-collegio-cardinalizio.html
Leo XIV. (2025, June 20). Message to Participants in the Second Annual Conference on AI, Ethics, and Corporate Governance. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/pont-messages/2025/documents/20250617-messaggio-ia.html
Leo XIV. (2025, July 10). Message to the AI For Good Summit 2025. https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/pont-messages/2025/documents/20250708-messaggio-aiforgood-ginevra.html
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